Tasha Smith (born February 28, 1971) is an American actress, director, and producer from Camden, New Jersey. She gained wide recognition for her role as Angela Williams in Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married? franchise.
Beyond acting, Smith has built a strong second career as a television director, with credits including 9-1-1, Bel-Air, and Mayor of Kingstown.
Who is Tasha Smith?
Tasha Smith is an American actress, director, and producer whose career spans more than three decades. She grew up in Camden, New Jersey, and moved to California at age 19 to pursue acting.
Her performance as Angela Williams in Why Did I Get Married? (2007) brought her broad public recognition. That role led directly to a spin-off television series and a sequel film.
Smith made her directorial debut in 2015 and has since become one of the most active TV directors working in Hollywood.
She also founded the Tasha Smith Actors Workshop (TSAW), a training program focused on nurturing emerging performers, particularly within the Black community. Her IMDb profile documents over 50 acting and directing credits across her career.
Smith’s work spans comedy, drama, and true crime, both in front of and behind the camera.
Early Life of Tasha Smith
Tasha Smith was born on February 28, 1971, in Camden, New Jersey. Her mother, Monique Smith, raised her as a single parent in challenging circumstances.
Smith has an identical twin sister, Sidra Smith, who also works in the entertainment industry as a producer and director. She also has a younger sister named Che’.
Growing up in Camden exposed Smith to a rough environment, including crime and drugs in her neighborhood.
She dropped out of Camden High School during her freshman year. At age 19, Smith left New Jersey and moved to California to begin her acting career.
Tasha Smith Age
Tasha Smith is 55 years old as of June 9, 2026, born on February 28, 1971.
Her zodiac sign is Pisces.
In recent years, she has expanded into directing high-profile television series and appeared in major film and TV productions.
Tasha Smith Ethnicity and Nationality
Tasha Smith holds American nationality, born and raised in Camden, New Jersey.
She is African American, as confirmed across multiple biographical sources.
Smith grew up in a predominantly Black neighborhood in Camden, an experience she has spoken about openly in multiple interviews.
Tasha Smith Height and Weight
Tasha Smith stands at 5 feet 6 inches, which equals 1.70 meters.
Her weight is reported at approximately 55 kg, which equals around 121 lbs.
Her athletic, confident screen presence has made her a memorable physical performer across both comedic and dramatic roles.
Tasha Smith Education
Smith dropped out of Camden High School during her freshman year before moving to California at age 19. She later studied acting at the prestigious The Actors Studio.
She also studied at Camden County College in New Jersey before her move to Los Angeles.
Her formal training and decades of teaching through TSAW gave her the foundation to transition successfully into directing.
Tasha Smith Career
Tasha Smith’s career spans acting, directing, producing, and acting education. She built her reputation across more than 30 years in the entertainment industry.
Early Career and Breakthrough
Smith made her acting debut in the 1994 comedy film Twin Sitters. Her career gained traction when she landed a starring role on the NBC comedy series Boston Common, which ran from 1996 to 1997.
She earned critical praise for her portrayal of the drug-addicted Ronnie Boyce in HBO’s Emmy Award-winning mini-series The Corner. That role showed her dramatic range and helped her land more significant projects.
In the early 2000s, she appeared in The Whole Ten Yards (2004) and guest roles across several television series.
Tyler Perry Projects and Angela Williams
Smith’s biggest acting breakthrough came in 2007. Her role as Angela Williams in Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married? resonated deeply with audiences.
She reprised the role in the sequel Why Did I Get Married Too? (2010) alongside Janet Jackson and Jill Scott. That performance directly led to the creation of the spin-off series For Better or Worse on OWN, which ran from 2011 to 2017.
Smith earned an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series for her work on For Better or Worse.
She also appeared in Tyler Perry’s Daddy’s Little Girls (2007) opposite Idris Elba.
Notable Film and TV Roles
Smith appeared in Universal’s Couples Retreat (2009), Sony’s Jumping the Broom (2011), and Lionsgate’s Addicted (2014).
In 2019, she appeared in Dolemite Is My Name alongside Eddie Murphy. From 2015 to 2020, she held a recurring role as Carol Holloway on Fox’s hit drama Empire.
Smith also appeared in Netflix’s Running Out of Time and Netflix’s Survival of the Thickest, and played Theresa in Sony’s Bad Boys: Ride or Die.
Directing Career
Smith made her directorial debut in 2015 with the short film Boxed In, which premiered at the 19th Annual American Black Film Festival.
In 2017, she directed When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story for TV One. The film premiered to 1.6 million viewers, ranking as TV One’s most-watched original movie premiere at the time. The film also received an NAACP Award nomination.
Since then, her television directing credits have grown substantially. Smith has directed episodes of 9-1-1 (Fox), Black Lightning (The CW), P-Valley (Starz), Black Mafia Family (Starz), Bel-Air (Peacock), Mayor of Kingstown (Paramount+), The Equalizer (CBS), The Rookie (ABC), and Big Sky (ABC).
Smith also served as executive producer on Black Mafia Family.
Tasha Smith Actors Workshop
Smith founded the Tasha Smith Actors Workshop (TSAW) to train and mentor aspiring actors. The workshop offers scene classes, private coaching, and online courses at beginner, intermediate, and master levels.
She has credited TSAW with preparing her for her own transition into directing. In an interview with Essence, she explained that teaching acting taught her how to direct, create characters, and tell stories.
Smith also coached Mary J. Blige for her critically acclaimed role in the film Mudbound.
Tasha Smith Filmography
Smith’s acting credits include Twin Sitters (1994), Boston Common (1996-1997), The Corner (HBO, 2000), The Whole Ten Yards (2004), Daddy’s Little Girls (2007), Why Did I Get Married? (2007), Couples Retreat (2009), Why Did I Get Married Too? (2010), Jumping the Broom (2011), For Better or Worse (OWN, 2011-2017), Addicted (2014), Empire (Fox, 2015-2020), Dolemite Is My Name (2019), Running Out of Time (Netflix), Survival of the Thickest (Netflix), and Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024).
Her directorial work includes Boxed In (2015), When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story (2017), and episodes of 9-1-1, Black Lightning, P-Valley, Black Mafia Family, Bel-Air, Mayor of Kingstown, The Equalizer, The Rookie, and Big Sky.
Tasha Smith Awards and Recognition
Smith earned an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series for her work on For Better or Worse.
Her directorial debut feature, When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story (2017), received an NAACP Award nomination. Bustle also recognized her as one of the female directors on the rise in Hollywood.
She appeared on America’s Next Top Model as an acting coach for aspiring models, adding to her public profile as a mentor and educator.
Tasha Smith Relationship
Tasha Smith married her then-manager, Rory “Keith” Douglas, in 2010. Their marriage ended in an annulment in 2015 after a judge determined the marriage was fraudulent. The court found that Douglas had been married five times before, had a criminal history he never disclosed to Smith, and had fathered several children.
Smith has not publicly confirmed any current relationship as of 2026. She has spoken openly in interviews about her desire to eventually become a mother.
Smith previously confirmed a relationship with actor Michael K. Williams, which she made public in 2020.
Tasha Smith Children
Tasha Smith does not have children. She has spoken openly about her desire to become a mother in the future across several interviews and public appearances.
Her close relationship with her twin sister Sidra and her younger sister Che’ has remained a consistent part of her public persona. The three sisters have maintained strong family ties throughout Smith’s career.
Tasha Smith Net Worth
Tasha Smith’s estimated net worth is $2.5 million as of 2026. Her income comes from acting, television directing, the Tasha Smith Actors Workshop, and brand collaborations.
Her shift into directing high-profile television series in recent years increased her earning potential well beyond acting alone. Shows like Mayor of Kingstown, Bel-Air, and The Equalizer rank among the most valued directing credits in current television.
Her workshop TSAW also generates income through online courses, private coaching, and bootcamp programs offered to aspiring actors at various skill levels.
Tasha Smith Social Media
Tasha Smith is active on Instagram under the handle @tasha4realsmith, where she shares updates on her projects, personal life, and acting workshop.
She uses her platform to promote TSAW and connect with fans and aspiring actors. Her Instagram bio points followers directly to her workshop website.
Smith also maintains a presence on other platforms, though Instagram remains her most active public channel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tasha Smith’s net worth?
Tasha Smith’s estimated net worth is $2.5 million as of 2026, earned through acting, television directing, her actors workshop, and brand partnerships.
How old is Tasha Smith?
Tasha Smith is 55 years old as of June 9, 2026. She was born on February 28, 1971, in Camden, New Jersey.
Who is Tasha Smith dating or married to?
Tasha Smith’s marriage to Keith Douglas was annulled in 2015 after a court found the marriage fraudulent. As of 2026, she has not publicly confirmed a current relationship.
What is Tasha Smith’s height?
Tasha Smith stands at 5 feet 6 inches (1.70 meters) and weighs approximately 55 kg (121 lbs).
What movies and projects has Tasha Smith been in?
Smith is best known for Why Did I Get Married? (2007), For Better or Worse (OWN, 2011-2017), Empire (Fox, 2015-2020), and Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024). As a director, her credits include 9-1-1, Bel-Air, and Mayor of Kingstown.
Where was Tasha Smith born?
Tasha Smith was born in Camden, New Jersey, on February 28, 1971.
The Bottom Line
Tasha Smith played Angela Williams in Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married? in 2007, a role that generated a sequel film and a multi-season OWN spin-off series. She earned an NAACP Image Award nomination for her work on that series.
Smith grew up in Camden, New Jersey, dropped out of high school at 14, and moved to California at 19 with no safety net. Her transition from actress to TV director, now with credits on some of the biggest shows on air, reflects a deliberate and sustained career evolution.
Since 2015, she has continued building her directing portfolio and her actors workshop, TSAW, which trains the next generation of performers.
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